What's eating my rotala indica?

Rotala indica is a moderately demanding aquarium stem plant. Algae outcompetes it when light or CO2 is unbalanced, and pest snails rasp its soft leaves. Herbivorous fish will graze it readily. Emersed or paludarium growth may attract aphids. Consistent CO2 and moderate-to-high light keep growth fast enough to outrun most threats.

Hard green spots on older leaves and green threads tangled in stems reduce light uptake Maintain CO2 at 20-25 ppm, add nerite snails for green spot algae, introduce Amano shrimp for hair algae

Pinholes and ragged leaf margins, mostly on tender growing tips Reduce population through trapping or assassin snails; keep substrate clean to limit snail reproduction

Stems consumed or leaves stripped, especially in tanks with few alternative food sources Stock with plant-safe fish only; provide adequate feeding to reduce opportunistic grazing

Soft-bodied insects clustered on new growth above waterline, causing leaf curl and yellowing Submerge briefly to drown aphids or spray emersed portions with diluted neem; rinse before returning to aquarium